HEW Choy Sin, a Professor of Plant Physiology in NUS, is a leading authority on Orchid Physiology and has published 3 books and more than 130 scientific papers.  Professor HEW has served as a consultant to many regional and local floricultural companies and societies, and also has served in several government bodies including Institute of Education, NSTB and PSC.  Professor HEW was also advisor to Guangzhou Scientific Technology Exchange Centre, China on horticultural production and is the Advisor and Visiting Professor to Research Centre for Chinese Orchids, South China Normal University.  NSTB awarded Prof HEW that National Science Award in 1997, recognizing "his outstanding contribution in placing Singapore at the forefront of global orchid research".

Professor HEW is the Vice Chairman of Tan Kah Kee Foundation, Adviser of the NUS--Tsinghua-Xiamen University Tri-lateral Research Program at the Department of Biological Sciences, NUS, and Adjunct Professor of Institute of Advanced Studies, NTU.